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Topic Review
Antiviral Gene Expression
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory virus that alone or in combination with secondary bacterial pathogens can contribute to the development of acute pneumonia in persons >65 years of age.
  • 424
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
TRPA1 Role in Inflammatory Disorders
The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a member of the TRP superfamily of channels, is primarily localized in a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal, vagal, and dorsal root ganglia, where its activation mediates neurogenic inflammatory responses. The TRPA1 pathway could be a protective mechanism to detect and respond to harmful agents in various pathological conditions, including several inflammatory diseases.
  • 423
  • 09 May 2022
Topic Review
ReStem Cell Genome Editing by CRISPR Toolkit
The most widely used genome editing toolkit is CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). It provides the possibility of replacing and modifying DNA and RNA nucleotides. Furthermore, with advancements in biological technology, inhibition and activation of the transcription of specific gene(s) has become possible. Bioinformatics tools that target the evolution of CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) turn this protein into a vehicle that is specific for a DNA or RNA region with single guide RNA (sgRNA). This toolkit could be used by researchers to investigate the function of stem cell gene(s). 
  • 423
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Modulators of Mitochondrial Biology Derived from Marine Resources
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles within eukaryotic cells that act as cellular power houses owing to their ability to efficiently generate the ATP required to sustain normal cell function. Also, they represent a “hub” for the regulation of a plethora of processes, including cellular homeostasis, metabolism, the defense against oxidative stress, and cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunctions are associated with a wide range of human diseases with complex pathologies, including metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Therefore, regulating dysfunctional mitochondria represents a pivotal therapeutic opportunity in biomedicine. Marine ecosystems are biologically very diversified and harbor a broad range of organisms, providing both novel bioactive substances and molecules with meaningful biomedical and pharmacological applications. Many mitochondria-targeting marine-derived molecules have been described to regulate mitochondrial biology, thus exerting therapeutic effects by inhibiting mitochondrial abnormalities, both in vitro and in vivo, through different mechanisms of action.
  • 423
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Metabolomics in Hyperuricemia and Gout
Urate is one of the key metabolites of purine metabolism, and the overproduction of urate in the liver or decreased excretion in the kidney in humans may lead to elevated levels of urate in the circulation, termed hyperuricemia (HU). The formation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joint or surrounding tissues may trigger inflammatory responses and gout attacks, which is the most common inflammatory arthritis. In addition to gout, HU has also been associated with many other metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, fatty liver diseases, kidney diseases, hypertension, and various cancers. Overwhelming evidence indicates that HU and gout lead to systematic metabolic alterations underlying these metabolic disorders. As one of the most powerful omics techniques, metabolomics systematically analyzes all small-molecule metabolites in a biological system that directly reflect the physiological and pathological conditions. Metabolomics has been increasingly employed in clinical and experimental research in HU and gout. Emerging studies have developed predictive models to differentiate HU from gout based on metabolomics and machine-learning algorithms.
  • 423
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
N-Glycans’ Effect on Pathologic Protein Conformations in Disease
Glycosylation, a prevalent post-translational modification, plays a pivotal role in regulating intricate cellular processes by covalently attaching glycans to macromolecules. Dysregulated glycosylation is linked to a spectrum of diseases, encompassing cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, congenital disorders, infections, and inflammation. Considering the allosteric effects of N-glycans in regulating protein conformation, with potential implications for its assembly and function, it is of no surprise that dysregulated N-glycosylation has been implicated in several disease-associated human proteins. Furthermore, these glycans may play a pivotal role in modulating the conformation of pathogen-associated proteins, influencing their infectivity within human cells.
  • 422
  • 06 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Exosomes and Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a prevalent clinical condition of the digestive system, with a growing frequency each year. Approximately 20% of patients suffer from severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with local consequences and multi-organ failure, putting a significant strain on patients’ health insurance. According to reports, the lungs are particularly susceptible to SAP. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe type of acute lung injury (ALI), is the primary cause of mortality among AP patients. Controlling the mortality associated with SAP requires an understanding of the etiology of AP-associated ALI, the discovery of biomarkers for the early detection of ALI, and the identification of potentially effective drug treatments. Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30–150 nm that are actively released into tissue fluids to mediate biological functions. Exosomes are laden with bioactive cargo, such as lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA. During the initial stages of AP, acinar cell-derived exosomes suppress forkhead box protein O1 expression, resulting in M1 macrophage polarization. Similarly, macrophage-derived exosomes activate inflammatory pathways within endothelium or epithelial cells, promoting an inflammatory cascade response. On the other hand, a part of exosome cargo performs tissue repair and anti-inflammatory actions and inhibits the cytokine storm during AP. 
  • 421
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Taste Processing from Animal Models
Taste processing is an adaptive mechanism involving complex physiological, motivational and cognitive processes. Animal models have provided relevant data about the neuroanatomical and neurobiological components of taste processing. 
  • 420
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Gut-to-Brain α-Synuclein Transmission in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder involving both motor and non-motor symptoms caused by the progressive death of distinct neuronal populations, including dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The deposition of aggregated α-synuclein protein into Lewy body inclusions is a hallmark of the disorder, and α-synuclein pathology has been found in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of PD patients up to two decades prior to diagnosis. In combination with the high occurrence of gastrointestinal dysfunction in early stages of PD, evidence strongly suggests that some forms of PD may originate in the gut. 
  • 420
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
Gap Junction in the Retina
Gap junctions (GJs) are not static bridges; instead, GJs as well as the molecular building block connexin (Cx) proteins undergo major expression changes in the degenerating retinal tissue. Various progressive diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, age-related retinal degeneration, etc., affect neurons of the retina and thus their neuronal connections endure irreversible changes as well.
  • 420
  • 25 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Lemna Is Productive and Nutritious in Low Light
Land plants adjust growth rate, protein content, and antioxidant content in response to their environment. These acclimatory adjustments in plant form and function may require several days and development of a new leaf. An apparent lesser need for such acclimation is demonstrated here for the floating aquatic plant Lemna minor with a focus on its response to the growth light environment. Relevant features of L. minor include unusually high growth rates, photosynthetic capacities, and protein content coupled with the ability to produce high levels of photoprotective xanthophylls (which are essential human micronutrients) across a wide range of growth light environments without compromising photosynthetic efficiency.
  • 418
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
The Immune System in Brief
The immune system is the body's intricate defense mechanism against infections and diseases. It is composed of a vast network of cells, tissues, and molecules working in harmony to protect us. Two main branches, the innate and adaptive immune systems, work together to differentiate between "self" and "non-self" entities. Innate immunity provides immediate but nonspecific protection, employing barriers like the skin and various white blood cells to quickly respond to threats. Adaptive immunity, on the other hand, takes time to develop and is highly specific. It relies on the production of antibodies and memory cells to remember and target specific pathogens for future encounters. The immune system's functionality revolves around recognizing foreign invaders, launching targeted responses, and forming immunological memory. It also requires tight regulation to prevent overactive responses or autoimmune disorders. Recent breakthroughs in immunology, such as immunotherapy and mRNA vaccines, highlight the ever-evolving understanding and harnessing of the immune system's capabilities, promising a brighter future in the fight against diseases.
  • 418
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Shedding Light on the Complex Regulation of FGF23
Early research has suggested a rather straightforward relation between phosphate exposure, increased serum FGF23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23) concentrations and clinical endpoints.
  • 418
  • 17 May 2022
Topic Review
Protein Phosphatases in Apicomplexa
Apicomplexa correspond to a large and diverse phylum of more than 6000 eukaryotic protozoa that live as obligate parasites in humans and animals. Protein phosphorylation is an ancient-in-origin post-translational modification that is probably universal across phyla. Protein kinases and phosphatases cover between 2% and 4% of a typical eukaryote’s proteome. Unlike protein kinases that catalyze the formation of a covalent bond between a protein substrate and a phosphate group, protein phosphatases catalyze the removal of that phosphate group by hydrolysis.
  • 417
  • 02 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Tumour-Associated Carbohydrates as Cancer Targets
Glycans are essential players involved in the interaction between cells and the microenvironment, making them ideal targets for the development of new therapies against infections and cancer. Since they modulate membrane receptor affinities, immune recognition, protein-protein interactions, and cell signaling, among others, glycans have been shown to play a relevant role in normal and malignant cell behaviour. Therefore, the alteration of the glycophenotype derived from malignant transformation is one of the adaptive mechanisms that provides tumour cells with growth advantages over normal cells, selected in order to circumvent the control mechanisms of the tissue microenvironment and ensure tumour survival.
  • 417
  • 11 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Early Lung Cancer Detection
Lung cancer remains the first cause of cancer worldwide. The main reason for this high rate of death from lung cancer is dissemination of the disease at the time of presentation to hospital due to late diagnosis. There is an urgent need to identify and validate non-invasive biomarkers for the early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of lung cancer for improved patient management.
  • 416
  • 01 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles and Cancer Therapy
Oxidative stress plays a significant role in cancer development and cancer therapy, and is a major contributor to normal tissue injury. The unique characteristics of extracellular vesicles (EVs) have made them potentially useful as a diagnostic tool in that their molecular content indicates their cell of origin and their lipid membrane protects the content from enzymatic degradation. In addition to their possible use as a diagnostic tool, their role in how normal and diseased cells communicate is of high research interest. The most exciting area is the association of EVs, oxidative stress, and pathogenesis of numerous diseases. 
  • 415
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Matrix Metalloproteases in PDAC
Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disorder that is histologically characterized by a dense fibrotic stroma around the tumor cells. As the extracellular matrix comprises the bulk of the stroma, matrix degrading proteases may play an important role in pancreatic cancer. It has been suggested that matrix metalloproteases are key drivers of both tumor growth and metastasis during pancreatic cancer progression. Based upon this notion, changes in matrix metalloprotease expression levels are often considered surrogate markers for pancreatic cancer progression and/or treatment response. Indeed, reduced matrix metalloprotease levels upon treatment (either pharmacological or due to genetic ablation) are considered as proof of the anti-tumorigenic potential of the mediator under study. 
  • 413
  • 12 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Prokineticin Receptors
Prokineticins are a new class of chemokine-like peptides that bind their G protein-coupled receptors, Prokineticin receptor 1 (PKR1) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PKR2), and promote chemotaxis and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines following tissue injury or infection. 
  • 413
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Neurobiology of Maternal Behavior in Nonhuman Mammals
Survival of the mammal offspring depends on the correct expression of maternal behaviors, particularly during the early postnatal period. Newborns must be a powerful source of incentive sensory stimulation to the dam, and in return, they must be capable of responding either actively or passively to such stimuli, expressing acceptance and motivation to invest energy and time and willingness to risk their physical safety. Hence, the capacity to express maternal behavior depends on the sensitivity to respond to the right stimuli under certain physiological, ontogenic, or cognitive conditions. Accordingly, to understand the neurobiology of this behavior, it must be considered that neural systems are involved in acceptance, social recognition, motivation, and fear/rejection. 
  • 412
  • 06 Jan 2023
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